The 2018 Sark general election was held on 10 April 2018 to elect members of the Chief Pleas, the unicameral legislature of Sark, a self‑governing Crown dependency within the Bailiwick of Guernsey. All candidates stood as independents; political parties are not a feature of Sark’s electoral system.
Electoral system
Sark employs a plurality block voting system. The island is divided into nine districts, each returning a set number of members to the Chief Pleas. Voters may cast as many votes as there are seats in their district, and the candidates with the highest vote totals fill those seats.
Seats and candidates
The election contested all 28 elected seats of the Chief Pleas. A total of 33 candidates were nominated, including incumbents and newcomers.
Turnout and results
Voter turnout was reported at approximately 40 % of the eligible electorate, reflecting the small‑community nature of the island’s politics. The election resulted in a mix of re‑elected incumbents and newly elected members, maintaining the non‑partisan composition of the legislature. Specific vote counts and the full list of elected members are recorded in the official Sark government election report.
Context
The 2018 election continued the reforms introduced by the 2008 constitutional changes, which transformed the Chief Pleas from a feudal assembly of landowners into a fully elected body. The election was part of Sark’s regular electoral cycle, with members typically serving four‑year terms.
No further notable controversies or irregularities were reported in connection with the 2018 election.
